Government of Canada progress update on improving access to clean water in First Nations communities

From: Indigenous Services Canada

News release

July 6, 2021 — Ottawa, unceded Algonquin Territory, Ontario — Indigenous Services Canada

The Government of Canada and First Nations communities are working in partnership to build long-term solutions that support sustainable access to safe, clean drinking water and restore trust in the water supply.

Today, Indigenous Services Canada provided an update on progress toward clean drinking water in all First Nations communities. As of July 6, 2021, 32 First Nations communities across Canada are working to resolve long-term drinking water advisories. In total, First Nations communities have lifted 108 long-term drinking water advisories restoring reliable access to safe drinking water for 6350 homes and 467 buildings in 79 communities since November 2015.

The work continues and there are initiatives underway to address the remaining 51 long-term drinking water advisories in effect in 32 First Nations communities.

Progress on eliminating all long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves

Since our last progress update on May 17, 2021, two First Nations communities have lifted long-term drinking water advisories, with support from Indigenous Services Canada.

The long-term drinking water advisory in White Bear First Nation in Saskatchewan was lifted, effective June 15, 2021. The advisory had been in effect since September 2011. A new water treatment plant was constructed to serve the community and in-home filters were removed from homes to ensure they did not become a cause of contamination.

The long-term drinking water advisory affecting Sapotaweyak Cree Nation’s public water system was lifted, effective May 20, 2021. The community’s existing plant, on which the advisory was initially placed, was undersized and required replacement. It is no longer in operation or supplying water to the community. Construction of a new water treatment plant, which will provide water for the community over the long-term, has been completed and water sampling shows the water meets the required guidelines.

Additionally, three short-term drinking water advisories, lasting between two and 12 months, have been lifted since mid-May, bringing the total to 183 short-term advisories prevented from becoming long-term since November 2015.

Snapshot of progress made on lifting long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves since November 2015:

  • 67.9% of long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves have been lifted.
  • 20.7% of long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves are being addressed by projects that are currently in the construction phase.
  • 8.8% of long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves are being addressed by projects where construction is complete. Final steps to lift these advisories are underway.
  • 1.3% of long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves are being addressed by projects that are in the design phase.
  • 1.3% of long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves are being addressed by a feasibility study to determine an appropriate solution.

Quotes

“Congratulations to Chief Nelson Genaille and the Sapotaweyak Cree Nation and Chief Nathan Pasap and the White Bear First Nation on lifting long-term drinking water advisories. We will continue working with you to ensure that clean, reliable drinking water remains in your communities for generations to come. Much work remains, but progress is being made. In fact, First Nations, with support from Indigenous Services Canada, have lifted 108 long-term advisories since November 2015. Increased operations and maintenance funding along with long-term water infrastructure planning will help us support First Nations restore trust in their water supply. We will not stop until access to safe drinking water is a reality for all First Nations communities.”

The Honourable Marc Miller
Minister of Indigenous Services

Quick facts

  • A drinking water advisory becomes long-term when it has been in place for more than a year. In November 2015, there were 105 long-term drinking water advisories affecting public systems on reserves. Between November 2015 and July 6, 2021, 108 long-term advisories affecting public systems on reserves were lifted. 51 remain in effect in 32 First Nations.

  • As of March 31, 2021, more than $2.05 billion of targeted funds has been allocated to support 733 water and wastewater projects in 581 First Nations communities, serving approximately 463,000 people. A total of 407 of these projects are complete.

  • In December 2020, the Government of Canada announced an additional $1.5 billion to help accelerate the work being done to end all long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves, to better support the operation and maintenance (O&M) of systems, and to continue program investments in water and wastewater infrastructure. This funding includes $616.3 million over six years, and $114.1 million ongoing, to increase the support provided for operations and maintenance of water and wastewater infrastructure on reserves.

  • With these recent investments combined, by 2025 Canada will increase the annual funding it provides to support the operations and maintenance of water and wastewater systems on a permanent basis by almost four times.

  • The increase in operations and maintenance funding has already started flowing directly to First Nations, with $150 million in operations and maintenance top-ups having been provided by the end of 2020-21. The funding will enable an increase to 100%, up from 80%, of formula-based funding for operations and maintenance, and will support First Nations to better sustain the approximately 1,200 water and wastewater systems across the country.

  • Through the Investing in Canada Plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.

Associated links

Contacts

For more information, media may contact:

Adrienne Vaupshas
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Marc Miller
Minister of Indigenous Services
adrienne.vaupshas@canada.ca

Media Relations
Indigenous Services Canada
819-953-1160
SAC.media.ISC@canada.ca

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